Health & Living

After Malaysia was born as a nation, we took good care of our mothers and infants, by building up a vast network of rural healthcare. This resulted in low maternal and infant mortality rates for many years. But in 2021, Malaysia recorded 300 pregnancy-related deaths, which is the country’s highest maternal mortality rate in several decades. On Public Health, consultant ob-gyn Dr John Teo joins Azr...

Are children’s aches and pains just part of growing up, or are there more concerning issues related to the development of their musculoskeletal system? Physiotherapist Choo Li-Yeng joins us to discuss how modern lifestyles affect children’s physical activity, posture and musculoskeletal function, and how these problems could lead to pain disorders later in life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omny...

While we have improved in leaps and bounds when it comes to treating cancer, these advances don’t matter if patients aren’t able to access treatments at all. For cancer patients in rural Sarawak, access to healthcare facilities is often hindered by geography, financial cost, as well as the lack of healthcare facilities and specialists in the state. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by C...

Liver cancer is the eighth most common cancer in Malaysia, and can be deadly when it has spread to an advanced stage. But what can be done for liver cancer at the early stages? We speak to two experts in interventional radiology - Dr Alex Tang from Subang Jaya Medical Centre and Assistant Prof Nutcha Pinjaroen from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand - about a procedure called Transarterial Chemo E...

If you’ve considered seeing a mental health professional, you’ve probably wondered what exactly happens during mental health therapy. Would you have to think of a way to start the conversation? What questions will you be asked? And how do you know if your mental health provider is the right one for you? We find out from Rozy Khalid, licensed and registered counsellor.  — This is the second ep...

When you have cancer, there’s no telling whether your treatment will result in remission, and for how long. It can be like living on a knife edge, especially when the expensive cost of care is compounded by limited or lack of insurance coverage.   On this episode of NCD Chronicles , Hiba Abdul Rahman, a 32-year-old breast cancer survivor, shares about being excluded from medical insuranc...

Spina bifida is a birth defect affecting the spine and spinal cord, which can lead to severe physical disabilities that the child has to live with. But with continued advances in treatments, including the option of surgery even before a baby is born, the odds have improved tremendously for babies with spina bifida. But what does the landscape look like here in Malaysia? We find out more from consu...

What is mental health? You may think you know the answer, but how would you explain it to a pre-schooler, a primary schoolgoing child, or a teenager? We turn to consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan for advice on how to talk to children of all ages about mental health, and how to help them be aware of their emotions and when they should reach out for help.  — Click her...

Two weeks into the start of the new school term, it was reported that school canteen operators are struggling to cope with the rising cost of raw ingredients, with many operators bound to the prices set within their existing canteen tenders. How does this affect the quality of the meals provided in canteens, and how could this exacerbate the problem of malnutrition that is increasing among school-...

A team of scientists at Stanford University recently transplanted human neurons into rat brains, hoping to open new pathways of research into neuropsychiatric disorders like epilepsy and schizophrenia. But what exactly are these scientists doing? And is it ethical to create these human-rat chimaeras? We explore further with neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar, and developmental neurogeneticist...

In our open clinic segment, consultant geriatrician Dr Khor Hui Min joins us to answer questions about memory-related issues among older adults, as well as other concerns related to dementia and decreasing cognitive function.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The impact of climate change is far-reaching, from its impact on the environment to the economy and even our mental health. On this episode of Mind Matters, consultant psychiatrist Dr Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam joins us to discuss how climate change - and extreme weather events - are increasing the risk of mental health disorders as well as why more people are experiencing “eco-anxiety”.  If y...

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’ve probably considered the idea of seeing a mental health professional - whether it’s a counsellor, clinical psychologist, or maybe even a psychiatrist. But making that decision to get help isn’t easy, and can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. On this new series My Mind and Me, we’ll be exploring how you can take that first step in seek...

Malaysia is losing our doctors. It’s a fact that we’ve known for years, as we’ve seen and heard stories of doctors leaving the public healthcare system not just for the private sector, but moving abroad as well. In the second part of this discussion, we dive into what are our options to put a stop to the medical brain drain, and whether we should be looking to other countries as the solution to ou...

For many of us, a fall might be nothing more than some scrapes and bruises, but for people aged 65 and above, falls can be detrimental as a main contributor to disability and morbidity among older adults. In September last year (2022), the World Falls Task Force, composed of experts from 39 countries, published the World Guidelines for Falls Prevention in Older Adults, to provide a framework so th...

In December 2022, China abruptly dropped its zero COVID policy - a policy that they’ve held fast to amidst several COVID-19 waves and the impact that it has had on its citizens in the past three years. But now, with relaxed restrictions, a narrower criteria for counting COVID-19 deaths, and the lack of reporting on asymptomatic cases, has led to rising concerns that the COVID-19 situation in China...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of specialists were thrust into the limelight for the important role that they played in the global health crisis - public health specialists. Though usually less visible compared to other medical professionals, public health specialists have always been unsung heroes in the wider picture of population health, using their knowledge and research to understand d...

Strength training consists of exercises that increase muscular strength. However, contrary to popular belief, strength or resistance training is not only for athletes or for people who are trying to bulk up. Dr Arvin Raj, a sports medicine physician and a certified strength and conditioning specialist, joins us to explain why strength training has health benefits for everyone, regardless of age or...

Malaysia is losing our doctors. It’s a fact that we’ve known for years, as we’ve seen and heard stories of doctors leaving the public healthcare system not just for the private sector, but moving abroad as well. What is driving this and what toll is it taking on our healthcare system? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, infectious diseases expert and former...

With China facing a new outbreak following the end of its zero COVID policy last month, many countries are concerned that this could see the beginning of a new global wave. So what is Malaysia doing to keep an eye on the COVID-19 situation globally, but more importantly, locally as well? We get a quick update from Dr Tan Seok Hong, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Disease Control Division, Minis...

Have you made a new year’s resolution to pick up a new sport, hike up a mountain, or perhaps just to sit less and walk more? Or maybe you’re dealing with an injury, or aches and pains, and don’t know how to exercise safely? Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh joins us to answer all your questions about starting your fitness journey right and how to stay motivated throughout the year. I...

As we enter another year of the pandemic, countries are on alert for another spike in infections, and the possibility of new variants circulating. Genomic surveillance will continue to be important in monitoring the pandemic, as well as in preparing for any future outbreaks. However, not all countries - especially low- and middle-income countries - have the capacity to conduct large-scale genomic...

While Malaysia can take pride in its level of healthcare services for maternal and child health, as well as for infectious diseases and most acute emergency conditions, the same cannot be said of access to health services for people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The provision of care can be uneven depending on certain geographical and socio-economic barriers, while the health system is st...

If you were a teenager and had lost your leg to bone cancer, would you run a marathon across Canada? Terry Fox did, back in 1980, so that he could raise money for cancer research. Today, the Terry Fox Run is an annual event in Canada, raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation and the Terry Fox Research Institute, which invests in cancer research. We speak to Darrell Fox, the younger brother of Te...

In our open clinic segment, consultant ENT surgeon Dr Lim Wye Keat joins us to answer questions about one of the most annoying problems plaguing people today: sinus problems. He also addresses other issues related to ear, nose and throat conditions. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.